So, a lot of people I know, out of hand, dismiss the concept of experimental theater. And, it is true that you have to wade though a lot of proverbial poo to find the gems. I find this to be true in all art forms. But, if you are willing to take a chance, occasionally you find something truly extraordinary, and that makes it all worth it. Last night, I got to see Home Made by the Portland, Oregon-based tEEth, at the spectacular church on St. Ferdinand.

Go. Seriously.

So now, with my faith restored in experimental performance, here are my picks for today:

Last night I was dragging my good sport of a husband–who was exhausted from consecutive graveyard shifts–around the neighborhood to see Fringe shows. We went to Architects Alley in pursuit of seeing one show, but accidentally ended up at another show in what felt akin to an alien abduction. Somehow we ended up at Port/Architect by the local Skinhorse Theater company. We debated the show for the rest of the night, which is what art is supposed to make you do, right?

But now I think I’m in need of some laughs with The Liar Show at 7pm, and then back to some more heavy stuff at 9pm with Home Made—which looks truly lovely, and then, depending on my mood, at 11pm: either more heavy, movement-based stuff with lie, lay, laid or a funny solo show with 52 Man Pick-Up.

BTW: The husband says I have to go with him to an Ultimate Fighting match next week as payback for all this.

Wow, I had some fun last night at the Fringe Festival. I went and bought passes at the Fringe Box Office and then sipped a free NOLA Brown Ale, as I sat in the Fringe tent and watched about an hour of excerpts from upcoming Fringe shows. Later I saw Du Fu, Mississippi, which was simply fantastic, as has been the case for everything I’ve seen by the ArtSpot Productions folks. There are previews again this evening, from 5-7.

I am so excited about Fringe Festival! It’s a little known fact that Good Liver, here, loves theater, did a turn in an experimental theater group back in the day, and pens plays these days. TMI?

Anywho, last year’s Fringe was such a wonderful time, and this year looks like it’s gonna blow last year away. Over the next 5 days, there are about 30 “Fringe managed” shows at venues pretty much all in the Marigny and Bywater. There are also about 30 more at BYOV’s (Bring Your Own Venue) throughout the city.

The deal is you buy a Fringe button for $3, and then tickets are $8/show. Or you can buy bundles of 5 passes for $30. And you can do all of this on-line through today only! And pre-sales get priority seating. So, I’ll be doing that.

Also, today and tomorrow they are offering free Fringe Peep Shows:

“Can’t decide what to see? Come to our free Fringe Peep Shows, Wednesday November 17 and Thursday November 18 from 5-7 pm to see previews of many of the shows at the Fringe. Free NOLA Brew and Old New Orleans Rum! (wow) At the Free-For-All Tent.”

So, the problem is what to choose! Tonight’s show times are 7 and 9. And there are BYOV shows at 7, 9 and 11. Here’s the schedule.

Todays picks are *drumroll*…. 7pm: Du Fu, Mississippi. 9pm: The Trail of Tears–I mean Butoh from Birmingham, Alabama about the Native American experience? And at 11pm, round out the night with a little comedy with: Assh*les on the Brink of Limited Epiphanies.

Tonight the Mudlark Public Theatre presents an evening with three songwriters: Nick Jaina from Portland, OR, Luke Allen from The Happy Talk Band, and Walt McClements from Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship? (Full disclosure: I am married to one of the performers, and, with one of the others, I have a long-time, sibling-like relationship.) Nevertheless, it will be a wonderful opportunity to see some truly great songwriters in an unusually intimate setting, and early ! 8pm-11pm sharp. (I think there will also be a puppet show.)

There’s so much going on in town this weekend, you really can’t go wrong. I mean we have Ozzy (!) at VooDoo today. There are also Dax Riggs and the Lost Bayou Ramblers (a strange combo, but both bands I love) at One-Eyed Jacks. But, I’m putting my money on The Mudlark Halloween Cabaret Grotesque.–I predict lots of creepy baby dolls and taxidermed animals, and what else says Halloween, really? They’re promising: Unnatural acts of Puppetry, Horror Theatre, Monster Burlesque, Delicious Treats and Cheap Booze, and The Callers (Brooklyn). Doors at 8pm.